Dame all but demanding vet roster

[Mediocre Man]

After playing with team USA Dame networked, he knows the difference between playing with impact players and playing with guys still figuring it out. Makes total sensee that he wants a roster that is plug and play and not 3 seasons away from winning at the highest level...I'd expect nothing more from a franchise player of Dame's caliber...he's not pressuring anybody to do anything and he's repeated over and over that as far as basketball goes....he's already won. He's got the bag and the max deal and the keys to the city and he knows there are worse situations to be in in the league than Portland. He's not going anywhere and he's right....we need three or four impact vets on our roster that are rotation players and not students. The worst thing the team could do is trade Dame for rookies in my view. Blowing it up is the same as tanking to me. No thanks.

“Knows the difference” Does that mean wanting Jerami Grant? Was he the impact player?

 

[1 Eye Jack]

If Dame is serious about winning he should demand a veteran coach as well

I like Billups and really don’t think he’s been given a legit squad to compete. Too many injuries terribly constructed with no size or length. Do I think he still has things to learn he’ll yeah! I also think he’d be good coach with younger team that appreciates his coaching style.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I like Billups and really don’t think he’s been given a legit squad to compete. Too many injuries terribly constructed with no size or length. Do I think he still has things to learn he’ll yeah! I also think he’d be good coach with younger team that appreciates his coaching style.

Me too, but that’s not what Dame wants. How many leads did we lose? How many double digit leads did we lose?

 

[GrandpaBlaze]

One thing that does scare me, at least a bit, is if we trade Dame, it also makes sense to not resign Grant and trade Nurk. We would be full-on youth movement - of which I am not opposed.

However, there is something to be said for a having a good veteran presence on a team (and we have just traded ours away). Then again, are Nurk or Grant the vets we want mentoring our youngsters?

There is nothing that says the veteran needs to be a starter or expensive player. Some vets are happy to essentially play assistant coach and work with the youngsters to help them and improve the team.

If you were looking to bring in a vet for a winning/teaching presence, who would you choose?

First name that came to my mind was Andre Iguodala.

 

[riverman]

“Knows the difference” Does that mean wanting Jerami Grant? Was he the impact player?

yes, Grant is one of the pieces...Grant also played best with Hart and Winslow ...the 3 Js...Winslow was more important to the team than folks thought he'd be. Gramt picked up his rebounding when Hart was traded, so did Dame.

 

[Mediocre Man]

One thing that does scare me, at least a bit, is if we trade Dame, it also makes sense to not resign Grant and trade Nurk. We would be full-on youth movement - of which I am not opposed.

However, there is something to be said for a having a good veteran presence on a team (and we have just traded ours away). Then again, are Nurk or Grant the vets we want mentoring our youngsters?

There is nothing that says the veteran needs to be a starter or expensive player. Some vets are happy to essentially play assistant coach and work with the youngsters to help them and improve the team.

If you were looking to bring in a vet for a winning/teaching presence, who would you choose?

First name that came to my mind was Andre Iguodala.

Thybulle, vet min guys, not that hard

 

[Rastapopoulos]

If you were looking to bring in a vet for a winning/teaching presence, who would you choose?

JOSH HART

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I like Billups and really don’t think he’s been given a legit squad to compete. Too many injuries terribly constructed with no size or length. Do I think he still has things to learn he’ll yeah! I also think he’d be good coach with younger team that appreciates his coaching style.

It's funny that Cbauncey complains about not having vets when the first time he actually looked like a decent coach was after we traded CJ last year and Dame was sitting out and suddenly the ball zipped around and the team played defense. That is, I think he's a decent coach of a rebuilding team and has shown no sign that he can coach a contender.

 

[Predator]

If we get the #1 pick AND Dame asks out, what do you do?

Assuming we tell him we aren’t trading Wemby.

I think I tell Dame to get comfy, because we aren’t dealing him.

 

[blazerkor]

Do these guys have a "Dame wants out" story pre-written? How many times have they rolled this out in the past couple years?

Yeah, this is just a narrative push. Windhorst knows you can modify protections and that the Bulls would rather have a second rounder and a guaranteed pick either at 23 in this draft or unprotected in the next and that would make us one of the teams that can offer 5 picks... it's just absolute bullshit. They love the "Get Dame out of Portland NOW!!!" story. They are sitting on it at all hours, ready to pounce. Fuck em!

 

[blazerkor]

If we get the #1 pick AND Dame asks out, what do you do?

Assuming we tell him we aren’t trading Wemby.

I think I tell Dame to get comfy, because we aren’t dealing him.

I think if you get the #1 pick you turn around, do what it takes to lock the Bulls in either at 23 this draft or unprotected next draft and then use the four picks, Ant and Nurk to get the best PF or C to play in the front court with Jerami and Wemby that you can. Then you don't have to worry about Dame asking for a trade.

 

[tykendo]

Yeah, this is just a narrative push. Windhorst knows you can modify protections and that the Bulls would rather have a second rounder and a guaranteed pick either at 23 in this draft or unprotected in the and that would make us one of the teams that can offer 5 picks... it's just absolute bullshit. They love the "Get Dame out of Portland NOW!!!" story. They are sitting on it at all hours, ready to pounce. Fuck em!

So true. Screamin" A was trying, so hard , to push Dame into giving an ultimatum. It was ridiculous.

 

[blazerkor]

So true. Screamin" A was trying, so hard , to push Dame into giving an ultimatum. It was ridiculous.

Dame was basically telling Smith that he'd communicated with the team, the team knows what they need to do and Dame hopes they will do it. That had to be a little bit of a disappointing moment for Stephen A. but it also had to be expected when interviewing the most level headed superstar in the game. These guys are all fucking jokers when it comes to Dame.

 

[tykendo]

The Nat'l Media, sports or otherwise does not like us. Tourist magazines give us a fair break. Even now, most are pretty cool. And still love what we've got to offer. Major cities, everywhere in the US have problems. The abundance of sunshine seems be be most important in covering up nasty warts.

 

[Whyachi]

Stephan A called out DeRozan's daughter yesterday for yelling during Raptors free throws. "I understand that it was a strategy"
So a 10 year old kid in the stands was a factor in Toronto missing the playoffs ... really ?? Where's the grown men playing a professional sport blah blah blah ?

Stephen A Smith grumbles are WEAK

 

[wizenheimer]

As much as I hate to say it, I don't want to mortgage our future so we can acquire another Jeremy Grant or two. Good players but not difference makers.

If Dame goes, then we shouldn't resign Grant, should trade Nurk and go all out on the youth movement.

I know some here like Ant, but I am not a fan and I think trading him might bring back some assets that may fit better with a long-term future (i.e., something more than a largely-one-dimensional player who is streaky in that one dimension).

I'd hate to see Dame go but I'll take future over a slightly better mediocre now.

that's essentially what I've been saying...if Dame asks to be traded the Blazers need to go full cellar. Trade Nurkic, Ant, and any other vet. Make the team bad and try and land those top-7 picks for 3 or 4 more years

Ant has to go because he's got way too much MeJ in him, IMO

 

[blazerfan11]

We need to get lucky on May 16th. I still think if we re-sign Grant we are just one really good forward away from being a tough out in the playoffs.

A forward that might be available in the draft.

 

[Pritchslap Madness]

The Blazers are not going to turn this roster into a contender this off-season. The Blazers don't have good enough assets to trade to move the needle (and we're not signing any big free agents). The only thing saving the Blazers is the possibility of winning the lottery (which has 10% odds iirc) and picking Victor Wembanyama. Even then IMO, that doesn't make the Blazers contenders (at least not for a couple of years). The best play for the Blazer's org and Lillard is to trade him. Get 3-4 future 1st round picks and/or young talent that better aligns with Sharpe's/Simons age.

The easiest way to see "significant improvement" for Lillard is to join a different team. Also, I think trading Lillard could be a positive for whoever purchases the Blazer's org. Allow the new ownership to start fresh with some great draft assets to help shape the team to their vision vs the old guard.

 

[blazerfan11]

Joe better know what the hell he’s doing by draft day! Say the Blazers get the #2 pick in the draft we will most likely get the chance to draft Scoot Henderson. If we say we’re going to try to do this for Dame by giving him a winning team and it doesn’t work out. We passed up on Scoot and it may not look very good.

It doesn't have to be the #2 pick to have an ugly ending.
Dame was the 6th pick and Sharpe was a 7th pick. There are some good forwards in the 2023 draft.

 

[blazerkor]

The Blazers are not going to turn this roster into a contender this off-season. The Blazers don't have good enough assets to trade to move the needle (and we're not signing any big free agents). The only thing saving the Blazers is the possibility of winning the lottery (which has 10% odds iirc) and picking Victor Wembanyama. Even then IMO, that doesn't make the Blazers contenders (at least not for a couple of years). The best play for the Blazer's org and Lillard is to trade him. Get 3-4 future 1st round picks and/or young talent that better aligns with Sharpe's/Simons age.

The easiest way to see "significant improvement" for Lillard is to join a different team. Also, I think trading Lillard could be a positive for whoever purchases the Blazer's org. Allow the new ownership to start fresh with some great draft assets to help shape the team to their vision vs the old guard.

This lacks imagination. We can easily have 5 first round picks available to trade and up to 46M in outgoing salary. That is enough to get an all star and a solid role playing starter to add to Dame, Shae and Jerami. We would still have a second rounder and the TPMLE to help the bench. Depending on the all star and the role player, that could easily contend next year. That's if we don't hit the Wemby jackpot.

 

[noknobs]

Totally depends on who they get back, but for those completely unwilling to include Sharpe for a needle mover- so essentially choosing him over Dame- how sure are you he’s going to be as loyal as Dame has been? We’ll rebuild with him, he’ll become a star, then leave. We have a piece teams actually want, how about we use it for once in Dames career and get him some help. If we have two stars, the mercenaries will come. I say go for it, if it’s the only option.

 

[blazerfan11]

How did Boston get Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett?
Is it possible for the Trail Blazers to acquire two star players?
I don't mean probable, I mean is it possible.
What if two star players say they want out and the only team they want to go to is Portland.

 

[Hoopguru]

How did Boston get Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett?
Is it possible for the Trail Blazers to acquire two star players?
I don't mean probable, I mean is it possible.
What if two star players say they want out and the only team they want to go to is Portland.

Yep they got Ray for the 5th pick and KG for several vets and pics. Both in their 30’s it took two years to get both.

 

[Natebishop3]

How did Boston get Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett?
Is it possible for the Trail Blazers to acquire two star players?
I don't mean probable, I mean is it possible.
What if two star players say they want out and the only team they want to go to is Portland.

Kevin McHale gifted Garnett to his old team. That's how.

"On July 31, 2007, Boston sent Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff, Sebastian Telfair and two 2009 first-round picks to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Kevin Garnett. "

Al Jeff was the best player on that team.

 

[Hoopguru]

How did Boston get Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett?
Is it possible for the Trail Blazers to acquire two star players?
I don't mean probable, I mean is it possible.
What if two star players say they want out and the only team they want to go to is Portland.

Look at what Phoenix just did too.

 

[HoopsFanAZ]

How did Boston get Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett?
Is it possible for the Trail Blazers to acquire two star players?
I don't mean probable, I mean is it possible.
What if two star players say they want out and the only team they want to go to is Portland.

The principal question is the one you bring up -- and is not getting the focus it should IMHO.
Lillard said there are needle movers who want to play in Portland with him.
Lillard has mentioned specific players he likes and would like to get one of them -- Bridges, OG, Vanderbilt -- a range of levels.
Who are those needle-moving-players Lillard alludes to? Chatter about his friends in the league make for a line-up of the Usual Suspects.

BUT more importantly, how much would it help for one (or more) of these needle movers to go to their team and ask for a trade to the Blazers?
It's a player's league. Agents have influence by the many clients they represent, now, and in future deals.
I'm not talking about likelihood of it happening as much as how things have gotten done.
Cronin will go all in with a perceived overpay for the right guy -- that's what he's said.

 

[HoopsFanAZ]

Separate Post from Above:

Anthony Davis playing more PF is better for the Lakers. And definitely not having to body up the bigger centers.
Nurkic to the Lakers for Bamba and Vanderbilt.

Bamba has not been a starting center (outside of 1 year of 5), but I'm wondering how the Blazers will be able to trade Nurk for a center that fits what they need even if the guy is not "better."
This gets two guys connected in the chatter to the Blazers and brings skills to a Lakers team that is not a run and gun team. Vanderbilt in his 4th year is getting minutes and starts for the last 3.

 

[Mediocre Man]

How did Boston get Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett?
Is it possible for the Trail Blazers to acquire two star players?
I don't mean probable, I mean is it possible.
What if two star players say they want out and the only team they want to go to is Portland.

I think the main thing is precedent. It really had never been done before. They named them the big 3 and now everyone wants a big 3, so it’s trickier. It’s like when Dallas traded that fucktard from Georgia to the Viking and got a billion picks. Now picks and players are scored and everyone knows how much it costs to move to the 1, 2 pick

 

[RR7]

Yep they got Ray for the 5th pick and KG for several vets and pics. Both in their 30’s it took two years to get both.

They traded for them a month apart.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Separate Post from Above:

Anthony Davis playing more PF is better for the Lakers. And definitely not having to body up the bigger centers.
Nurkic to the Lakers for Bamba and Vanderbilt.

Bamba has not been a starting center (outside of 1 year of 5), but I'm wondering how the Blazers will be able to trade Nurk for a center that fits what they need even if the guy is not "better."
This gets two guys connected in the chatter to the Blazers and brings skills to a Lakers team that is not a run and gun team. Vanderbilt in his 4th year is getting minutes and starts for the last 3.

That’s not going to make this team into contenders and I doubt that’s the type of trade Dame means.